Chapel of the Holy Rood

Prague Castle, Second Courtyard

On the south side of the Second Castle Courtyard the Chapel of the Holy Rood protrudes, built in 1758-63 by A. M. Lurago as part of Theresian building renovations of the Castle, serving as the court shrine. In the second half of 19th century it has been restyled to suit the needs of abdicated Austrian emperor Ferdinand V the Good and his wife Maria Anna of Sardinia. Since 1961 the chapel serves as the church treasury where the treasure from St. Vitus Cathedral is stored. The chapel is decorated on the outside by statues of E. Max, ceiling paintings are the work of V. Kandler and J. Navrátil, sculptures inside were created by P. Prachner, I. F. Platzer and E. Max, paintings are by F. X. Balko.